This Journey With You

Weasley Women Outing

        Hermione didn't hear from Fred for several days. Good. Maybe. She couldn't decide really. Sometimes she thought of flaming red hair and wished he was holding her hand again in that pub. And then other times she wanted to tell yell at the mental image of him, reminding him that she wasn't weak or someone to pity.

        However, she couldn't help missing him. Even with the frustration of him making her feel so small and pitiful, she enjoyed most of that dinner they shared. She couldn't bring herself to confront him after walking out. But, didn't he understand how she felt? If he did, he would have apologized with an owl, she reasoned.

        "Hermione?" Ginny called out to her.

        Hermione shook her head and blinked to clear her vision. "Sorry, Gin. I was lost in thought."

        "I'll say," she frowned. "You've been distracted since we got here."

        Ginny had invited Hermione to look at a venue on the West side of London with her mother and sister-in-law. Ella hadn't arrived yet though, and Hermione was glad for fear that Fred had told about their interview dinner. But, hopefully deciding on where to hold Ginny and Harry's reception would be distracting enough that Ella wouldn't bring up the subject.

        "I'm sorry," Hermione apologized. "Just work related nonsense occupying my mind." Not a lie.

        The redhead quirked a skeptical brow and Hermione plastered her best smile on her face. "I like this rooftop," she promised.

        That seemed to put the ginger back at ease and she returned her attention to a staff member, who was answering a question from Mrs. Weasley.

        The three women were on the terrace of No. 4 Hamilton Place. Ginny was asking their tour guide about prices, and Molly's forehead creased every couple of seconds as she caught wind of prices that sounded way out of her budget, though Hermione wasn't sure why for she knew both Ginny and Harry were funding most of the wedding expenses.

        A chill breeze blew into Hermione's face and she shrugged up her coat. She hated that they were checking this place out in the colder months, but she supposed it would be quite delightful in the Summer. She absentmindedly walked towards the edge of the wall and glanced down in to the sea of frosted green of Hyde Park. The Royal Park had always been a favorite place to visit with her parents as a little girl. She particularly loved sunny holidays when her father took her pedal boating.

        "I love this place," Ginny beamed as she almost skipped- rather un-Ginny like- to where Hermione stood. "It's so beautiful up here! I think the space would be big enough for all of the guests, and we could do both the ceremony and the reception here," she grinned, looping her arm though her friend's. "It has a breathtaking view as well."

        "It is lovely," Hermione agreed, still looking out over the park. "I think Harry would like it, too, if he were here."

        Molly wandered over to the girls, feigning a smile despite the concern in her eyes. "It is lovely, Ginny dear. But, what about the burrow? I thought you'd love to have a wedding in our back yard like your siblings have had."

        "Not really, no," the younger redhead stated. "When Bill got married, I figured I wouldn't mind if my wedding was at home. But, I really love this as a potential venue. Hermione does, too! Don't you?"

        Hermione threw her friend a displeasing look, uncomfortable with being put between mother and daughter. "I've yet to see a a wedding done in this nice of an area. It's beautiful, I can't deny that."

        "I think it's too much," Mrs. Weasley tutted. "I'm just not huge on big, flashy events when I barely have a hand in any of the organization or design."